Alabama Power partners with Backpack Connections for Back-2-School drive
Volunteers of the Western Division Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization helped fill backpacks with school supplies. (Danielle Kimbrough / Alabama Power)
Last week, Alabama Power partnered with Backpack Connections, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Tuscaloosa, for a Back-2-School drive during the company’s annual safety renewal meeting. Formally known as the Tuscaloosa Backpack Coalition, the organization provides help and hope to families by providing first-day school supplies.
“The Western Division Chapter of Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) is partnering with Backpack Connections, an organization committed to supporting families in west Alabama by providing first day of school supplies,” said Stevi Gandy, APSO Western Division Chapter president. “The division is hosting its annual safety renewal, so we utilize this as an opportunity to collect supplies while we have many of our employees gathered. Employees can also turn in supplies to APSO board members or donate money to APSO to purchase supplies.”
In 2011, the Tuscaloosa Backpack Coalition was created to bring a variety of community groups with resources together to connect and support children who are in the greatest need. The following year, Apples for Education was established.
Apples for Education is a community fundraiser to gather donations and educational materials for students in Tuscaloosa city and county schools, as well as underserved schools in Perry, Sumter, Hale and Pickens counties. Volunteers operate in pairs or larger groups, committing to two-hour shifts, to hand out apples at the Apples for Education stand located in the University Mall.
The green and gold apples symbolize a cash contribution of at least $1, while red apples represent the donation of a backpack equipped with recommended supplies for a single student.
In 2019, Backpack Connections was created as a nonprofit to replace Coalition. For the past two decades, the organization has been dedicated to assisting families by supplying essential school materials for the first day of classes.
Backpack Connections aims to be a successful, cooperative initiative in the Tuscaloosa County area, creating “partnerships” with various organizations to supply backpacks and school materials to the students in greatest need within Tuscaloosa city and county schools.
“It is important for Alabama Power to be involved in the community because we want to be a part of growing the communities we serve,” Gandy said. “Our employees live and work in these communities, so it gives us all a chance to enhance the places we call home.”
By combining its tangible, financial, intellectual and influential resources, Backpack Connections can address more community needs while reducing redundancy.
Both city and county school systems contribute to the initiative by identifying students in need. The backpack giveaway is designated for children pre-registered through schools, local community service organizations and churches.
Additionally, the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Tuscaloosa Housing Authority, Northport Housing Authority and T.O.P. identify individuals within their domains who need support. Names are cross-referenced with city and county school lists to prevent overlap.
Selected families are notified about where to collect supplies at a community distribution point before the school year begins.
Backpack Connections depends on a three-step prolonged strategy that includes:
- Identifying students recommended by schools, churches and community partners.
- Collecting resources, such as supplies and/or monetary donations.
- Distributing school supplies at three city sites and 11 county sites.
The future continues to be uncertain for families experiencing the financial pressures of this economy. Parents benefit from this organization because support and expertise have been a reliable presence to assist them and their children. Distributions take place during late July and early August.
“A partnership with Backpack Connections allows our chapter to reach people more effectively,” Gandy said. “This organization has been helping families for more than 20 years and has been widely impactful by building relationships and ensuring that we are serving those most in need.”
Stay informed about current events and volunteer opportunities by visiting Facebook. If you would like to help by donating supplies, organizing supply drives, providing financial contributions and assisting with distribution efforts, click here.
